Joe graduated in the class of 1978 from Pekin Community High School and Weyerhaeuser, Wis., High School. He dedicated his life to work and began his career in 1973 as a garbage man. He worked for his father’s company, JB Disposal for about 30 years, Waste Management for a few years, and Peoria Disposal Company until his passing.

In his earlier years, he enjoyed cross country running, bicycling, and bowling. Joe made friends wherever he went and valued his life-long friendships. He enjoyed life and loved to talk about it. You couldn’t spend time with Joe without hearing at least one story. He was always willing to help others. He was very old-fashioned and respected interactions that didn’t depend on devices. His latest accomplishment was building his own garage.

He was a family man and outdoors man. He cherished his time spent with family and traveling. He worked on junk to save money for family vacations and get-togethers to celebrate life events. He appreciated nature and he loved to hike and explore his land in Canada and Wisconsin. His most recent honor was purchasing the family farm in Wisconsin to keep his dad’s legacy alive. He loved dogs, especially his German Shepherd who was his travel companion.

Joe shared his life with his wife, Pat, for 38 years. They raised five children and seven grandchildren ­­together they are very proud of.

Joe was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He would always say “Be good, behave and be careful.” His family will always remember and look up to him as loving, hard-working, and down-to-earth.

A Mass of Christian burial will at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Michael Andrejek as celebrant. Visitation will be from 4 p.m.–7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, 2131 Velde Dr., Pekin. Additional visitation will from 10 a.m. –10:45 a.m. at the church on Thursday. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be made in Joe’s name to Animal Services Centre, 882 Alloy Place, Thunder Bay, ON P7B E6 or St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 S. 7th St., Pekin.

To offer condolences online visit, www.hendersonfuneralcare.com.

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